Connecting rod for shock absorbers



NOV.19,1935. C. N, MITCHELL 2,021,193

CONNECTING ROD FOR SHOCK ABSORBERS Original Filed Aug. 22, 1930 IN l 'EA/TOR.

, A TTORNEYS Patentedl Nav. 19, 1935 PATENT ori-icacornsmc'rmo. non Fon snoek .insomnies Y Courtney Mitchell, Berea, Ohio, asslgnors tolv Houde Engineering Corporation, Buffalo, N. Y., a, corporation of New York Application August 22, 1930, serial No. 477,035 Renewed December 15, 1932 7 Claims.

This invention relates to a connecting link which isparticularly adapted for use with a vehicle shock absorber although the device is of general application. I

5 The mainobject of the invention is to provide a connecting link of the character described which consists essentially of a rod which is provided at its opposite ends with a housing or casing in which is secured one or more blocks of elastic material,

such as rubber, each block being shaped to dene an opening or socket which is oval, spheroid or elliptical in shape and adapted to receive therein the similarly shaped end of a stud or arm, the housing each being provided with an oval or elon-` l5 gated opening to facilitate the insertion of the end of the stud or arm therein.

Another object of the .invention is to provide a connecting link of the character described for connecting the arm of a shock absorber with a 2 stud carried by an axle in such a manner asl to provide a yielding connection between the stud and the arm which will permit a slight relative movement therebetween.

A further object of the invention is to provide a connecting rod of the character described which is noiseless and requires no lubrication and which is provided with adjustable means for connecting the same so asto allow for the numerous angles required in the normal operation of the shockv absorber. I

A further object of the invention is to provide a connecting link of the character described which will require no `lubrication and which is well adapted for production at lcomparatively low cost. A still further object of the invention is to provide a connecting link of the character described which will oifer considerable resistance to the relative movement between the vehicle frame and axle and in which the friction and Wear will o be reduced to a minimum.

,Further and more limited objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds and by reference to the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view partly in section and partly in side elevation disclosing my improved connecting link connected with the .szock absorber of the vehicle; Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1: Fig. 3 is a Vertical'seetional View of the connecting link shown in Figs. l and 2; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view disclosing a modified form of connecting link; Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 disclosing a second modication; Fig. 6 isva fragmentary sectional view disclosing a .third modification of the invention; Fig. 7 is a vertical an automotive vehicle to which is secured a shock 10 absorber 2 of the double acting type, the details of construction of which form no part of this invention. The shock absorber 2 is provided with an arm 3 which extends outwardly therefrom' and has its outer end bent at an angle thereto as 15 shown most clearly in Fig. 2. Theouter end of 4 the arm 3 is slightly oval or elliptical iii-shape as shown most clearly in Figs. 2 and 3. The reference character 4 designates the axle of an automotive vehicle to which is secured a stud 5, which 20 is secured to the axle in any suitable manner. The outer end of the stud 5 is slightly enlarged and is substantially the saine shape as the outer end of the arm 3. The connecting link consists essentially of a rod B the opposite ends of which are 25 slightly enlarged and 'exteriorly threaded as shown at l and 8. Threadedly secured over each of the threaded portions 1 and 8 are housings or casings 9 and I D. Arranged within each of the housings 9 and I0 are rubber blocks Il, I2 and 30 Il, I2, respectively, which are shaped to define a sccket'or recess which is oval or elliptical and adapted to receive therein the similar shaped end portions of the arm 3 and stud 5 respectively; The housings 9 and I0 are each provided in one side 35 thereof with elongated openings I3 and I3a which are somewhat oval or elliptical in shape so as to facilitate the insertion of the stud and arm therein. As shown, the rubber blocks denne a recess in the housing having its major axis at an 40 angle to the major axis of the opening, preferably in alignment with the short axis of the openings l I3 and I3". Arranged withineach of the housings 9 and Il) are disks I4, I4 which are disposed between the rubber blocks and the ends of the rod to provide a bearing for therubber blocks II, IIe.

Due to the `fact that the end portions of the arm 3 and stud 5 are oval or elliptical in shape and t Within similarly shaped sockets provided in the rubber blocks, it will be seen that upon relative movement between the vehicle frame and axle, theend portions of the stud and arm will tend to turn- Within the sockets. The rubber blocks fitting-closely around the end portions of l form of my invention in which the connecting i link consists of a rod E, the upper end of which the stud and arm tend to resist this turning movement thereby ail'ording some additional checking action. The edges of the end portions of the stud and arm are slightly attened as shown in' Figs. 2 and 3 so that the rubber will not be `unduly lworn by any movement of the same within the sockets. Since the sockets formed iin the rubber blocks fit substantially around theentire stud head, relative movement between' the" studA and housing is permitted primarily by interparticle how of the rubber. In securing the connecting* link to the stud 5, the lower block of rubber II,

is rst placed Within the housing III andthe of the stud 5 is then rotated back about 90 to` be seated in the recess of the rubber block IIB. The other rubber block I2 is then placed in the housing over the end of the stud and the portion 8 of the rod 6' is threaded in the housing to compress the blocks. The end of the stud is thus locked in the housing since it cannot be removed through the opening I3EL unless it is rotated about 90. l The arm 3 is secured in the housing 9 in the saine manner. It will be seen that the elongated openings I3 and I3a serve to facilitate securing the connecting link in place and also provide suitable means for holding the parts in position. After the connecting link has been secured to the stud and arm, adjustment can be made .by turning the rod 6 to place the rubber blocks under compression.

In Fig., 4 there is disclosed a yslightly modified is exteriorly threaded and over which is secured a housing I5 which is held in place by means of a nut I5 threadedly secured over the threaded l end portion of the rod. The nut IIiv is provided with tool engaging portions I1 whereby the same may be tightened. Arranged within the casing or housing I5 are blocks of rubber I8 and I9 which are substantially identical with the blocks of` rubber Il and I2 used in connection with the form of the invention shownl in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive. However, in this case, the upper end of the casing is openand is closed by means of acap or cover 20 which is secured in place by means of a splitring 2| tting within a groove provided in the upper end of the housing I5. It is of course understood that the opposite end of the rod 6s is similarly constructed.

In Fig. 5 there is disclosed another modication of myinvention in which the connecting link consists of a rod 6b over the upper end of which is secured a casing or housing 22. The upperend of the rod 6b is attened or headed to secure the casing or housing 22 thereto. The

upper end of the housing 22 is interiorly threaded.

' Arranged within the housing 22 are blocks of rubber 24 and 25 which are shaped to provide an oval or elliptical socket adapted to receive a similarly shaped end portion ofthe arm 3 and stud 5. 'Ihe housing 22 is also provided at one side thereof with an elongated opening 26 having its major axis at an angle to the major axis of the socket dened bythe rubber block. This recess is preferably in alignment with the short axis of the opening 26 to facilitate insertion of the end portion of the stud or arm therein. The upper end of thecasing or housing 22 is iclosed by means of a cap or cover 21 whichis threadedly secured within the upper end of the housing and locked in the adjusted position by means of a cotter pin 28. It is of course understood that the opposite endof the rod 6b is similarly 5 constructed. Y

In Fig. 6 there is disclosed another modification of my invention in which the shock absorber 'arm 3yis provided with an' enlargedend portion 29. In this form of the invention, the conl0 necting link consists of a rod Bc having an enlarged end portion 3c of the shape shown most clearly in Fig.' 6, and over which is secured a block of rubber 30 of the shape shown. most clearly in Figs. 8 and 9. Secured over the block of rubl5 ber 30 are afpair of semi-circular sleeves 3| and 32. Fitting over the arm 3'L and slidably mounted thereon is a cylindrical sleeve or collar 33 which is shaped in section as shown most clearly in Fig. 6. .The semi-cylindrical sleeves 3| and 20 32 are fitted over the block of rubber and then inserted into the sleeve 33. The sleeve' 33 is forced outwardly over the sleeves 3| and 32 so as to rigidly secure the same in place. The sleeve 3| is provided with a tab portion 34 which is adapt- 25 ed to be bent outwardly to the position shown in Fig. 6 so as to secure the sleeve 33 in place. The outer ends of the semi-cylindrical sleeves 3| and i 32 are bent inwardly so as to (secure the rubber stannauy identical with the forms of the inven- 35 tion hereinbefore described. However, in this form of the invention, it isnot necessary to have an opening in the housing to permit 'the insertion of the end portion of the stud or arm'therein.

Itis of courseunderstood that the connection 40 at the opposite end of the connecting rod 3 is of similar construction. In Fig. 10 there is disclosed still another modification of my invention in which the shock'absorber arm 3h is provided with an enlarged end 45 portion dening a housing or casing A35 the outer i end of which is open and interiorly threaded. Fitting Within the enlarged portion 35 is a block of rubber 36 which has an opening therein shaped to deiine an oval socket or recess which is '50- yadapted to receive the similarly shaped project-- ing end portion of the connecting rod 6. Threadedly secured within the end of the housing 35 -is an annular ringor nut 31 which surroundsv the end portion of the arm 3 and secures 55 the rubber block 36 in place. The ring or nut 31 is provided with tool engaging portions 33 by means of which the same may be turned to adjust the pressure upon the rubber block. The opening in the nut 3l is of such size as to permit 'so of some relative movement between the shock absorber arm 3b and the connecting rod 3'-. It is of course understood that the connection at the opposite end of the connecting rod `et is of vsimilar construction. f 65 In all :formsv of the invention herein de-L scribed, the end portions of the arm and stud are oval or elliptical in shape and adapted toflt within a similarly shaped opening provided in the housings. In each case, this end portion is surrounded by one yor more blocks of rubber or other suitable material which will permit a slight movement of the end portions of the stud orann therein, thus providing apsomewhat resilient but operative .connection between the arm and stud i5 In the forms of the invention-illustrated in Figs. .1 to 5 inclusive, the housing or casing isprovided with an elongated opening which is somewhat oval or elliptical in shape and has its major axis disposed substantially parallel with the axis of the rod, thus providing a very simple Vand effective means for securing the connecting link in place. It is to be understood that the various forms of the invention herein disclosed are merely illustrative and are not to be considered in a limiting sense, as various changes may be made in the details of construction as well as in the shape, size and manner of securing the parts in place without departing from the spirit oi' my invention. My invention is therefore limited only in accordance with the scope or the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is: 2 1

l. A connecting rod for shock absorbers comprising a rod one end portion of which is slightly enlarged. a sleeve iltting over said `end portion and deilning a housing having an opening therein, a thimble fitting over said sleeve and slidable thereon, means for securing said thimble in position, and a block of resilient material secured insaid sleeve and shaped to denne a socket which is disposed opposite said opening and adapted to receive the Vend portion of a stud or' arm therein.` 11:2 A

'a 2. In a link assembly, a socket member 'com-' prising two elongated recessed shells secured together, a resilient bushing molded to the shape members, a 'socket of -resilient material, an enclosure for said socket, said enclosure. comprising a pair oi complementary members having edges `in substantially contiguous relationship, an integral portion ot one of said connected members engaging the interior of said socket at one end of the enclosure, an integrally formed and extended portion of the other connected member being rotatably contained within said enclosure at its other end, and holding means for said complementary members adapted to compress 5 the aforesaid socket.

4. In a Aconnecting link, a connected member having an enlarged portion, a unitary socket of resilient material adapted to open to receive said enlarged portion, an lenclosure for said socket. 10 said enclosure comprising two elongated comple-f mentary members having substantially contiguous edges. said enclosure surrounding said socket at one end' oi. the enclosure and surrounding an integrally formedvand extended portion 15 ofanother connected member at the other end of the enclosure, and means for holding said complementary members in compressing relationship with said socket.

5. In a flexible connection, two connected 2o arms, each ot said arms having an integrally extending enlarged portion with an enlarged end, the extending portion oi'one arm being curved, two complementary hollow members having axially extending proximate edges. a socket adapted 25 to be opened' resiliently to receive the enlarged end oi.' one of said arms.. each of said enlarged portions being enclosed between the complemen- -tary hollow members at their opposite ends, and means for holding the hollow members in assem 30` bled relationship.

6. In a linkassembly, a socket member comprising two elongated recessed shells secured together, a resilient bushing molded tothe shape o! the socket and compressed between the shells, 35 said bushing having a recess therein, said recess having an entry opening smaller than the intef rior oi the recess. a stud member having an enlarged end in said recess, a surface portion ofthe l enlarged 4end being o! rounded contour, the open- 40 ingy of said -recess being adapted to be enlarged resiliently for the passage oi'l said enlarged end, v and cuts in the adjacent edges of the aforesaid shells to provide a passage for a part of the aforesaid stud. 'l

7. In a link assembly, a socket member comprising two elongated recessed shells, a bushing ing said shells, a portion of one ot said shellsconstituting a. locking means for said sleeve.

N. MITCHELL. 

